1981 BMW 320 Group 5

• On offer from Laranca, this remarkable BMW was built in Norway in 2015
• Total bare-shell rebuild using an 1981 E21 318. Acid-dipped, primed and painted
• Body styling is copied from an original 1978 Group 5 car. Adjustable spoiler, low-drag rear window spoiler, front spoiler, and sills
• 2.0-litre M10 unit (circa 180bhp). 265-dogleg gearbox from a 635
• Hemispheric combustion chambers, special distributor, oil cooler special high-pressure oil filters, wide baffled oil pan in alloy
• Original Weber 48 Bologna with 42mm chokes, and cold-air ram box
• Massive spec (see main description)

In 1976, the Manufacturers’ World Championship was the second most important motor sport championship next to Formula 1. Formally titled ‘Group 5’, these cars became known as ‘Silhouette Cars’ and shared the same outline as current saloon models or GTs but the engineering was pure racing car technology. For 1976, the regulations changed offering just two classes with engine capacities above and below 2-litres.

For the 2-Litre class, BMW developed a racing car based on their E21 320 (3-Series). These cars, with drivers including Surer, Cheever and Winkelhock (and later with Stuck, Peterson and Grohs) appeared in the German DRM series and in the Manufacturers’ World Championship from 1977 onwards. In 1978, BMW supplied components (and complete kits) for more than 30 cars and altogether it is thought that 36 factory-based Group 5 320s were constructed. They shared their 330bhp, 2-litre, 4-valve, M12/7 engine with Formula 2 and weighed about 730kg.

This very special ‘Group 5’ Homage comes from the garage of the renowned marque experts, Laranca Engineering. This car was bought from a Norwegian enthusiast who built it in 2015 and there is an email from him to Laranca explaining the specification of the car, which we thought was easiest to simply list below:

Shell:

• Total bare-shell rebuild using an ‘81 E21 318.
• Acid-dipped, primed and painted once metal work done
• FIA-spec 6-point roll cage, modified rear 323 rear frame rail
• Believed to be circa 850 kg.

Suspension:

• Special gas fully adjustable front and rear coil-overs
• With matching springs front struts are made on original 323 lower struts, front has fully adjustable top mounting in alloy and strut-brace bar in alloy
• With camber and toe adjustment eccentric bolts.
• Side loader differential from BMW 635 in alloy with 4.78:1 ratio
• GKN motorsport drive shafts

Exterior:

• Body styling is copied from an original styling 1978 Group 5 from a German fabricator.
• Fibreglass bonnet, doors, front and rear wings, rear boot lid
• Adjustable spoiler, low-drag rear window spoiler, front spoiler, and sills.
• Split-rim 15” BBS alloys, 10.5” rear and 9.5” fronts.

Brakes:

• Original 323 brake discs for front and rear. Front discs has cooling pipes from front grille
• Original 323 rear brake calipers with Ferodo 300 pads front and rear
• Front 4-pot cast Volvo calipers
• Mercedes 240 master brake pump to get the right ratio for the brakes and 5-step adjuster

Interior:

• Group 2 dash with all new period type VDO gauges, auto fuses, and battery kill switch.
• Period steering wheel cost nearly £1,000, 5-point harness
• Modified original steering rack. No servo but quick ratio.
• Standard 323 roll bars, non-adjustable.
• Polycarbonate Windows, front glass laminated, left front with sliding action

Engine:

• 2.0-litre M10 unit with recent circa 180 bhp dyno readout
• Hemispheric combustion chambers, special distributor, oil cooler special high-pressure oil filters. wide baffled oil pan in alloy
• Alloy flywheel. Newly bored block with new bearings, cam-chain sprockets
• Original Weber 48 Bologna with 42mm chokes, and cold-air ram box
• Alloy water pump. 323 header tank
• Gearbox is a 265-dogleg box from a 635. Clutch heavy-duty not sintered pads

This is an amazing looking competition car, with various possible opportunities to compete around the world. You could not replicate this car for anywhere near this guide price and therefore, in our opinion, represents fantastic value for money for what is a great homage to the iconic Group 5 BMW.